The Probert Encyclopaedia of Warfare

AG42

The AG42 Ljungman rifle (known in Denmark as the Madsen-Ljungman) was a Swedish gas-direct action self-loading rifle first seen in service in 1942, and phased out of use during the late 1970's. The AG42 was the first rifle to use the principle of direct gas action, a principle which was later employed by various weapons including the Armalite AR-10. The AG42 was chambered for the 6.5 mm X 55 cartridge which it took from a 10-round non-detachable box magazine and fired with a muzzle velocity of 750 meters per second. It had a 622 mm long barrel and was fitted with a barleycorn foresight and a leaf aperture rearsight.
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